If PEB really is a bonafide, two-way NHL player, I could see a line of Raffl-Laughton-PEB being a very strong 4th line.

I really feel Raffl will be moved up to play with Giroux though. Other than Read, he's the only other player on this team capable of playing LW in the top 6.
- PhillySportsGuy

He certainly could end up there, but I think they will give B. Schenn the first crack at that spot.

edit: And thanks again for coming out the other night, hope you guys had fun!!

"Laughton was stuck in a tough position this year. He has little to gain from a fourth season in the OHL, where he averaged 1.14 points per game last season while continuing to be one of the junior circuit's more adept defensive centers....."
(and 2 paragraphs later)
"...In 2012-13, Laughton averaged 1.14 points per game at the OHL level while continuing to be one of the junior circuit's more adept defensive centers."

Bill, you had my brain tied into a pretzel first thing in the morning over this one. It was explained quite well later. The kid sounds great!

Great article! You get a good idea of where its at. You think on another club he'd have a NHL season under his belt already?

If they stick with Schenn-G-Jake and Read-Coots-Simmonds as the two top lines, my guess is that the rest shakes out like this:

To start games and when trailing
3rd line: Umberger-VLC-Akeson
4th line: Bellemare or Rinaldo-Laughton-Raffl

Late in a period when tied or when leading:
3rd line: Umberger-Laughton-Raffl
4th line: Bellemare or Rinaldo-VLC-Akeson

Just because they extended Rinaldo, IMO, does not guarantee him a spot in the top 12. I don't think any 4th liner, who is making less than 900k, is ever really guaranteed a spot.
- BiggE

I still would lean more towards the "third" line being Raffl-VLC-Akeson and the "fourth" being Umberger-Laughton-Bellemare.

That gives you a solid vet on each line to help the kids along, and means that you likely won't have to do as much situational juggling.

I still would lean more towards the "third" line being Raffl-VLC-Akeson and the "fourth" being Umberger-Laughton-Bellemare.

That gives you a solid vet on each line to help the kids along, and means that you likely won't have to do as much situational juggling.
- Jsaquella

Works for me!

I hear you, and do like those additions as well. But having having a line of top young prospects that might develop some chemistry is certainly appealing. And I think the young guys will benefit from having a leader - and by all accounts Laughton is a great leader - that is their own age.
- TheGreat28

That is alluring. I'm not against Laughton starting in the AHL, or even spending a whole season there, if the team feels that it's best for his development.

I think Laughton's ready now, and can handle a role similar to Couturier as a rookie. Not saying he can come in and be a beast like Couts was as a rookie, but provide very solid and capable two way play on a 4th line.

He certainly could end up there, but I think they will give B. Schenn the first crack at that spot.

edit: And thanks again for coming out the other night, hope you guys had fun!!
- BiggE

They will give Schenn the first crack. He hasn't performed well on the top line at LW though. I really wouldn't mind seeing them break up Jake and G. I feel like each of them can carry there own line and it would make the lineup, as a whole, much more potent.

I felt putting Jake and G on the same line made life easy for opposing coaches. They really only had to worry about matching lines with 1 line.

No probs. I had a good time except when tangent_man complained about how cold it was. Such a wuss.

Works for me!

- BiggE

I don't know...I keep Laughton at the NHL level.
Putting Simmonds on a line that will get more 5-5 ice time than he was seeing on the line with Vinny/Schenn should be a good thing. My bigger questions are where to play Schenn and Vinny. But of course...time will tell.
- wbon22

I like what Just5 posted a couple weeks ago:

10-28-93
24-14-17
12-40-42
18-21-Bellemare/Rinaldo

I think that gives good balance and a 4th line that can likely handle 10 minutes a night in a regular role and be a solid two way line and help out on the PK

They will give Schenn the first crack. He hasn't performed well on the top line at LW though. I really wouldn't mind seeing them break up Jake and G. I feel like each of them can carry there own line and it would make the lineup, as a whole, much more potent.

I felt putting Jake and G on the same line made life easy for opposing coaches. They really only had to worry about matching lines with 1 line.

No probs. I had a good time except when tangent_man complained about how cold it was. Such a wuss.
- PhillySportsGuy

Runnin your mouth behind his back. Keep it classy

Runnin your mouth behind his back. Keep it classy
- Giroux_Is_God

Excellent stuff, bill.
I never considered Laughton as a way to ease couturiers work load. I really don't want to see him in a 4th line role though. I would much rather have him playing on the third line getting pretty good offensive minutes. But I guess there is something to be said for on the job training as 4th line centre. If he is 4c I would hope Philly gives him a umberger or Akeson to give him someone to score cuz rinaldo isn't that guy.

They will give Schenn the first crack. He hasn't performed well on the top line at LW though. I really wouldn't mind seeing them break up Jake and G. I feel like each of them can carry there own line and it would make the lineup, as a whole, much more potent.

I felt putting Jake and G on the same line made life easy for opposing coaches. They really only had to worry about matching lines with 1 line.

No probs. I had a good time except when tangent_man complained about how cold it was. Such a wuss.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well those old folks get cold easily....

Schenns a bust and Vinny is being held together by scotch tape
- funmaster18

Ummm which schenn? B schenn scored 20 and 41 points and that is impressive for a 22yo. Lecavier def lost a step or two or three but still managed 20 goals. Calling a 22yo schenn a bust has to be your sarcasm showing itself, correct?

Ummm which schenn? B schenn scored 20 and 41 points and that is impressive for a 22yo. Lecavier def lost a step or two or three but still managed 20 goals. Calling a 22yo schenn a bust has to be your sarcasm showing itself, correct?
- 28Girouxsalem28

sarcasm??
at hockeybuzz??

sarcasm??
at hockeybuzz??
- BiggE

I know a shot in the dark but I had to take it.

Runnin your mouth behind his back. Keep it classy
- Giroux_Is_God

He know where to find me

Well those old folks get cold easily....

- BiggE

PSG's just practicing talking out of his ass again. Ask his wife who the whiner was.

Well those old folks get cold easily....

- BiggE

I know. Keepin the thermostat at 80 degrees in the winter.

PSG's just practicing talking out of his ass again. Ask his wife who the whiner was.
- tangent_man

He know where to find me


- PhillySportsGuy

The FUBU shirt is more intimidating then his gang signs and tough guy face.

PSG's just practicing talking out of his ass again. Ask his wife who the whiner was.
- tangent_man

He know where to find me


- PhillySportsGuy

The Vanilla Ice show?

The FUBU shirt is more intimidating then his gang signs and tough guy face.
- 28Girouxsalem28

That photo just screams "punch me...hard...in the face"

He know where to find me


- PhillySportsGuy

....stahhhp

The Vanilla Ice show?
- tangent_man